Losing Tarik Glenn was a tremendous blow; the right-handed QBs need for a great LT has been well documented over the past decade, and the Colts gave up about eight more sacks the year after he left (23, which would be good for most teams, but from 2005-2010 Indys sack total was usually <15.) Mannings field vision, quick release and recognition of defensive formations mitigated that slightly, but also prompted teams to blitz him up the middle, where the loss of solid guard Ryan Lilja has been felt almost as keenly as the loss of Glenn.

Manning makes his whole team better, no question, but has never been mobile in any sense, notwithstanding his 7 yard run for a first down last week. Still, as critical as I have been of our line since McDumbass shredded it with hand-picked scrubs, Manning was only sacked twice last week, and one of those was his own fault for not recognizing Pitt was sending more blitzers than we had blockers. To his credit, the next time the Steelers called that defensive play he hit Demaryius Thomas on a quick screen that went 80 yards for a TD, with LG Zane Beadles (whom I absolutely despise as a blocker) lead-blocking 20 yards downfield.


Stokley was our whole offense for the first two series last week, and it is generally understood that he came out of retirement solely because his old QB was in town (on the other hand, Stokleys presence was reportedly among the reasons Manning came.) He was pretty good in Denver before Mannings arrival, but there is no denying the importance of the familiarity and comfort level he provides Manning.

I still expect Dreesen to be our star TE, but that is because I remember his play in Houston. Tight ends in the mold of Shannon Sharpe are vital since the rise of the 3-4 and short passing to multiple receivers. The two feed off each other, since defensive ends cannot cover tight ends like linebackers can, and tight ends can block linebackers far more effectively than they can defensive ends. Believe me, I am well aware of the potential; for many years Denver relied on D.J. Williams to cover Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzales twice a year, plus Dallas Clark and Daniel Graham when we played Indy and NE, and many of us are not looking forward to facing Gonzales tonight with DJ suspended (particularly since our starting MLB is awful in coverage.)

That said, I agree that Mannings augmentation of his teams manifests at TE more than anywhere except perhaps RB (many of us expect him to be as good for perennially fizzling Knowshon Moreno as for McGahee.) He is a master of the short multi-receiver passing game that makes them shine, and his skill with hot reads and offensive audibles only increases their potency. With Dreesen and Tamme at TE and Thomas, Stokley and Decker at WR I am more confident in our receivers than I have been in a long time, and think McGahee and Moreno will be an effective one-two punch at RB if both stay healthy. My only offensive concerns are:

1) Is Ryan Clady healthy enough to dominate at LT as he did in his first few seasons, or will he lead the league in holding like last year?

2) Is second year RT Orlando Franklin finally ready to start, or still just a road-grading guard (badly) impersonating a tackle?

3) When will we get back RG Chris Kuper, our only guard worthy of the name, and can backup Manny Ramirez carry the load until then?

4) Is LG Zane Beadles finally ready to start after doing so two full seasons, and will center J.D. Walton, who has played beside him just as long, EVER be ready?

That said, I cannot dispute they each played well last week; if our defense had played even half as well on third down we would have blown out Pitt.